Nearly half of parents of children at risk of serious illness or death from the flu are failing to get them vaccinated against the virus.

Figures from Public Health England reveal 35,689 two-to-four year olds considered at particular risk from flu due to existing health conditions went unvaccinated in 2016-17.

That works out as 47 per cent of all “at-risk” children in that age group.

“At risk” means a person is in danger of developing life-threatening illness if they catch the flu - and includes people with chronic liver, heart or respiratory disease, or conditions such as immunosuppression and diabetes.

There are a total of 75,290 children considered at risk in England, of whom 39,601 received the vaccine last flu season.

The vaccination programme was extended to all two-to-four year olds in 2013-14 - not just those considered at particular risk - in order to help prevent the disease from spreading.

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Just 37 per cent of eligible children not in a clinical risk group were immunised, leaving more than 1.2 million susceptible to catching and passing on flu.

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By comparison, 71 per cent of those aged 65 and over - another group deemed at risk of serious illness from flu - were vaccinated.

Across all those under 65 who fall into a clinical risk group, the uptake was also better than it was for children - 49 per cent received their vaccines.

Richard Pebody, acting head of respiratory at PHE, said: “The uptake of the vaccine in children in clinical risk groups is higher than last year, which is encouraging. However, just under half remain unvaccinated and we urge parents to take up the offer of vaccination on their children’s behalf to give them the best possible protection from flu.”